Enjoying the Ride - Special Situations

Cycling can take many shapes and forms.  Today we look at special situations that come with a unique set of considerations.  These include group rides, riding on multi-use trails and sharing the road with other users. 

Group Rides

Group rides can be one of cycling’s great joys.  There’s nothing like sharing the road with a bunch of like-minded folks.  Riding in a group is different in may ways than riding alone.   Here are a few rules that will ensure your safety and make  your ride more fun.

Never ride more than two abreast.  Most states prohibit this practice.  When traffic conditions warrant, ride single file.   You’ll also want to pay attention to how you communicate with other cyclists in the group.  Use both hand and verbal signals to indicate turns and road hazards.  Be especially careful when passing through intersections.  Remember, each bicyclist is responsible for his or her safety.  Look for approaching traffic before proceeding and always follow all traffic laws.

Multi-Use Trails

Multi-use trails can also be a lot of fun.  There’s no motor vehicle traffic to contend with, but there are pedestrians, often with young children and pets. There are also other cyclists and even skaters.  If you ride on multi-use trails, it's important to remember that they're not engineered to the same standards as roads.  

Always be courteous of other trail users.  Cyclists are typically required to yield the right of way to others.  It’s important to know the rules before you embark.  You’ll also want to give audible warnings when passing slower traffic.  If you have to stop on a multi-use trail, pull over to the side.  It’s never a good idea to block a trail.

Depending on your skill level as well as the volume and type of traffic you’re likley to encounter, you may decided that multi-use trails aren’t the best environment to cycle in.  If you do use them, recognize that you may have to slow down.  It’s all good.  Enjoy the ride. 

Sharing the Road

Nothing scares new cyclists like the thought of being hit by a motor vehicle.  Fortunately, it doesn’t happen all that often.  If you take a few defensive steps, you’ll greatly increase the liklihood that it will never happen to you.

While riding in the street, you have the same rights and responsibilities as other road users.  This means that you have to follow all traffic laws.  Always be sure to ride the same direction as traffic.  Be sure not to change lanes or pull into traffic until you have plenty of room to do so.  Last, but not least, give yourself plenty of room when passing parked cars as inattentive motorists may open their doors directly in your path.

By taking these simple, easy to implement steps, you'll discover new ways to have fun cycling!

• Previous: Safe Cycling: 3 Ways to Get More Out of Each Ride
• Next: Traffic Skills 101: Putting It All Together

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Bob Sharpe is a League of American Bicyclists Certified Cycling Instructor and founder of Bike 5, a movement that encourages people to bicycle for short trips of five miles or less.  You can reach him directly through the Bike 5 page on Facebook.

This article is one of a 11-part series on the basics of riding on the road and covering the primary topics found in the League of American Bicyclists Smart Cycling course.

Read all 11 articles in Bob's Safe Cycling Series here.

Find more resources for better bicycling on our Bicycle Skills and Safety page.

Improving safety for Missourians who bicycle, walk, and drive is one of the primary goals of MoBikeFed's Vision for Bicycling and Walking in Missouri. Work to educate and inform Missourians about important safety and skills topics such as those found in this series on safe bicycling is an important part of that effort.

Your ongoing membership and generous financial support help turn our Vision into reality!